Ankush

@Sazerac Now that you mention it, I remember seeing this video. Its a great video. However, in a way, it made me doubt if I plan my quit, I will be successful. But I had to plan, at least for the juice (since the juice I wanted may have not been easily available at the local store). Besides, I like to be mentally prepared when undertaking something new. Again, what works for one person may/may not work for another. So like I said, to each his/her own.

Thank you for clarifying @Sazerac

I never expected anything to change, if that's what you're asking. However, I can do without the smoking.

Thank you @greenlight

- I was scared as to how I would deal with stress if I quit - I was scared that negative things (from people) in my life wouldn't stop if I quit smoking Minor things - I was worried I would never get over the fact that I need a cigarette after meals - I was worried I wouldn't be able to go out of my house several hours at a go without needing a cigarette (since I used to avoid carrying cigarettes when I went out with my family) Stress is still there, negative things don't stop, but at least I quit smoking. And, I eventually got used to not having a cigarette after meals. I still get stressed when I step out of my house (whether its a short period or a long period), but fight off the urge, if I do get it. Nevertheless, at least I quit smoking.

Thank you very much @reciprocity and @Doreensfree

Congratulations on reaching the 8 month milestone!!!

Congratulations on a 11 month quit!!!

Congratulations on achieving the 3 year milestone!!!

Am here

Where are the other newbies?

Yes, and while there are plenty of scientific studies already on various drugs, I think further studies are required on drugs such as pot by an unbiased, uninfluenced, impartial medical body. The verdict on a drug like Nicotine is already out. Across the board decriminalization will be good. Also, environment plays a role on drug (legal or illegal) use. So, governments and all those responsible should really ask themselves, are they creating an environment where drug use is encouraged or not. There is also the fact that everybody enjoys dopamine release, and since drugs are quick way for dopamine release, I think everybody likes to get high (the extent and method used varies).

Nope

@Sazerac Until very recently, I was ignorant that Portugal had decriminalized drugs. My brother had brought this to my attention. My initial reaction was, then all citizens will become drug addicts. However, while this was true to a large extent during the initial years of decriminalization in Portugal, the numbers of drug abuse eventually dropped, which is shown in the article as well. Since I was a pot user for different periods in my life (2006-sometime in the beginning of 2007, sometime in 2010-sometime in 2013, sometime in 2014-July 2017), so a long time (approx 8 years), my stance for pot was that it should be legalized. However, my stance on hard drugs was that they should continue to be illegal. Maybe I was a bit partial towards pot (since I was its user), I don't know. I gave some thought about what Portugal had done with decriminalization and eventually reached the conclusion I mentioned earlier in the thread.

Some may argue that all drugs should be legal (as they are in Portugal). You can't control what people want to consume and what they don't. The government should rather educate and give the power to the people to choose what they want to consume, using unbiased knowledge as a tool. Also, knowledge shouldn't be used deceptively to advance some harmful propaganda, if at all. Then again, Nicotine is one such drug, that shouldn't even exist as a drug for consumption, but that's just my opinion. So, like you, I'm divided on whether Bhutan did the right thing or not.

Congratulations on achieving the 6 month milestone

Nope

Welcome aboard @hesteralumni23. Looking at the positive side of things, you want to quit at a very young age and that's good. The other thing is that you are successfully able to overcome initial withdrawal and stay away from cigarettes (if at all for a few months, but you have been able to stay away from them). Also, you have successfully fended off drug addiction. The nicotine in cigarettes is also a drug (its a legal drug). Talk to as many people as you can here on the board. You already have a good list of reasons for quitting smoking permanently, so write them down (remember to quit for yourself though). I would also recommend that you watch Joel's videos on relapsing. Take the Nope pledge and take things a day at a time. While different people have different reasons to take up a drug (legal or illegal), taking them to look cool is definitely not the right one. Also, feel free to post an S.O.S when you need to. All the best!!!

I wouldn't recommend NRT, but it's not about me here. If your doctor thinks NRT will help you quit, and NRT will make you more confident in being able to secure a successful quit, then go for it.

Congratulations on achieving the 2 month milestone!!!

To each his/her own

Nope

Thank you @johnny5

Nope

@Doreensfree Thank you